Post by Dorothy Olszyk, Vox PRPA Intern

It’s that moment when you are mid-thought and your mind goes blank. A giant wall stands between you and your story. Writer’s block.

There are many reasons writer’s block can occur, but there are things you can do to shake it off. Here are some ways to breakdown writer’s block and finish the story.

Write it out.

Write those ideas down! Pull your thoughts and ideas out of your brain and onto a sheet of paper, even if they don’t come out fully formed. Whether you create a list, a word bubble or random scribbles, writing anything down can help organize your ideas and spark new ideas.

Read out loud.

Reading out loud helps you think about your writing as a listener – more objectively. It can help you determine whether your words, thoughts and sentences make sense, and identify gaps or leaps that need filling in. If you’re worried about disturbing other people or shy about reading out loud, go into another room or outside where you won’t be as nervous.

Get a second opinion.

No matter how many times you read your own work, it is always a good idea to have another person look it over. Not only is the second pair of eyes helpful for technical editing; it can be helpful for brainstorming ideas and gathering subjective feedback. It is easy to get lost in your words and ideas, where you can easily pass over mistakes. But a friend or co-worker can help catch errors and strengthen the structure and flow of your work.

Take a break.

Don’t force your thoughts! Sometimes sitting for too long in front of the computer is counterproductive. Take a break, walk away from your desk and do something unrelated to your work. Stepping away is like a refresh button for your brain and when you return, you’re more likely to continue on with a fresh mind and keen eyes.

Writer’s block happens to just about everyone. Next time it happens to you, try some of these techniques to break the cycle. Do you have a tried-and-true method of busting through writer’s block? Tell us about it!